Safaga

Safaga is located on the western coast of the Red Sea, about 60 km south of Hurghada, 80km north of Al Quseir and 160km east of Qena.

Safaga is one of the oldest ports on the Red Sea, as it started its activity at the time of the ancient Egyptians. In modern times, 1911, it became very important for exporting phosphate.

During World War 2 Safaga port was used by the allies. A relic of this time is a well known wreck near the port. The ship belonged to the British army and was used to serve the British troops. It was as a complete workshop for repairing and maintaining war equipment and vessels. This ship was sunk by the German air force in 1944.

The port is also considered to be a principal fortified position for the Egyptian navy to guard the South East of Egypt. Furthermore, it is used to serve the pilgrims going to and from Saudi-Arabia, to export aluminum and phosphate and to import wheat. Its great depth (about 25-34m) is suitable even for very large vessels with deep draughts. The area consists of many bays and Safaga is located on the largest one of them, opposite Safaga Island which acts as a natural barrier against large waves.

Where does the name Safaga come from?.....There are various opinions but it was said that a convoy coming from the Arabian Peninsula encountered severe dusty winds and they said (in Arabic) SAFA GAAH, which means "dusty winds came".

During the last few years Safaga has experienced a remarkable development in tourism, and now has a tourist center expanding for many kilometers, many hotels, touristic villages and entertainment centers.

The weather is wonderful in both summer and winter. Some tourist villages have medical centers that use sea water, mud from coral reefs and sand to cure Rheumatism, Psoriasis and other diseases. It is said that Queen Hatsheput spent some days every year in Safaga seeking a cure for her ailments.